Radical changes proposed for Orange's top touch football competitions

By
MATT FINDLAY

City of Orange Touch Association is proposing a radical new concept for its division one competitions

TOP PICK: Orange's top touch football players like Mitch Green, pictured, could enjoy a new concept in the 2014-15 City of Orange Touch Association competition. Photo: www.peterwhiting.com.au

CITY of Orange Touch Association (COTA) is proposing a radical new concept for its men’s and women’s division one competitions this season.

Based on increasing the standard, player numbers and competitiveness of the top grade, the proposal would have all nominated division one players divided evenly between teams via a draft system, with transfers available.

COTA is also proposing a substantial increase of prize money in the men’s and women’s top grades - the winner of each competition would take home $3500, the runners-up $1500.

The proposal is just that, a proposal, and COTA is seeking feedback on the idea before putting any plan into action.

“We’ve had particular teams dominating in division one, and sides brought up from division two to increase numbers getting smashed. This is a way to even the competition out.”

The draft would split last year’s division one players up between several teams, while also dividing any new players evenly.

“We might have an ‘elite’ category, and each team gets a certain number of players from that,” Goodlock said.

“Then you’d have a couple of other hats to draw from, making sure the teams were even.

“There is also the idea to be able transfer two players, who were drawn from the same hat, between teams.

“So if someone came from the ‘elite’ hat, you could only trade for another ‘elite’ player.

“We’ve got so many people playing divisions three, four and five who just haven’t had the chance to move up, but with a bit of coaching could easily play in division one. This gives them that chance.”

The proposal has received mixed feedback so far with several hesitant due to the fact they would not be picking who they played with.

“A lot of people play touch footy to play with mates, we know that,” Goodlock said.

“But we’ve also had plenty of people agree with the idea. Last year’s division one competition was boring and this is a way to spice it up.

“This is just a proposal, this isn’t the be all and end all. But as a committee we feel something needs to be done and this is what we came up with.

“There could be hundreds of other great ideas, we just need to people to put their hand up and do something.”

Any interested players must let COTA know by emailing their name, age and contact phone number to orangeseniortouch@yahoo.com.au by July 31. The changes will coincide with COTA’s move to Waratah Sportsground for season 2014-15